'Fiddler on the Roof' starring Jimmy Ferraro as Tevye returns to PPAC

Posted
Friday, November 23, 2012 1:15 pm

Fiddler on the Roof,” starring real-life husband and wife Jimmy Ferraro as Tevye and Dee Etta Rowe as Golde, comes to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 25. “Fiddler on the Roof” is sponsored by Coastway Community Bank and is part of the 2012/2013 Contemporary Classics Series presented in Providence by the Providence Performing Arts Center.

“Fiddler on the Roof,” based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, has captured the hearts of people all over the world with its humor, warmth and honesty. The universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

In the little village of Anatevka, Tevye, a poor milkman, is trying to keep his family's traditions in place. Yet, times are changing, and when Tevye's daughters want to make their own matches, he must choose between his own daughters’ happiness and those beloved traditions that keep the outside world at bay. It is Tevye’s love of his family, pride and faith that help him face the dangerous forces in Anatevka that threaten to destroy the very life he and his fellow villagers are trying to preserve.

“Fiddler on the Roof” is filled with a rousing, heartwarming score, including “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were A Rich Man and “Sunrise, Sunset.” No other musical has so magically woven music, dance, poignancy and laughter into such an electrifying and unforgettable experience.

Jimmy Ferraro was personally selected by Fiddler’s original director/choreographer Jerome Robbins to make his Broadway debut in “Fiddler on the Roof” in 1981. Since that time, Ferraro has performed in national and international tours of “Fiddler.”

Dee Etta Rowe began her love of singing and performing early in life and went on to study opera at the University of Hartford. At a young age, she made her Broadway debut in “Most Happy Fella” with Giorgio Tozzi, and she was featured in the show’s PBS telecast. She worked with director/choreographer Tommy Tune to create the role of “Olga von Sturm” on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical “Nine,” appearing with Raul Julia, Bert Convy and Sergio Franchi. She appeared Off-Broadway in “For the Record” and “What’s New with Nathan Lane.” Most recently, Rowe nationally appeared in the original cast of “Menopause The Musical” as the “Iowa Housewife.”

Tickets for “Fiddler on the Roof” are on sale now at the PPAC Box Office, online at www.ppacri.org and by phone at 421-ARTS (2787). Tickets are $63 to $36; all ticket prices include a $3 per ticket restoration charge and are subject to change without notice. Discounted admission is available for groups of 20 or more; for information and to order contact group sales representative Paul Hiatt at phiatt@ppacri.org or 574-3162.